Bath Mozartfest 2009 Launch
Artistic Director, Amelia Freedman today unveils another splendid Bath Mozartfest programme – nine days of world-class music making set against the backdrop of this unique Georgian City.
As ever, the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart lies firmly at the heart of the programme, but this year’s anniversaries of Handel, Haydn and Mendelssohn are all celebrated, too.
The multi-award-winning Takács Quartet make a welcome return to Bath to open the festival with two concerts, which include a Mozart quartet alongside an exploration of the quartets of Beethoven.
The Sixteen, directed by Harry Christophers, will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the death of Handel in Bath’s glorious Abbey with a programme including the four anthems which he composed for the Coronation of King George II in Westminster Abbey in 1727, including Zadok the Priest. And the baroque theme will continue the following day with Viktoria Mullova’s all-Bach programme for unaccompanied violin and with the harpsichordist, Ottavio Dantone.
A high point of this festival packed full of artists at the peak of their musical talent will undoubtedly be the French pianist, Pierre-Laurent Aimard. He makes his first visit to Bath with a delectable programme of sonatas written by Mozart in his late teens and Beethoven in his late twenties, plus Ravel’s impressionistic Miroirs.
Returning favourites include the Nash Ensemble, whose programme ranges from the chamber version of Mozart’s Piano Concerto in E flat major via Schubert’s Trout Quintet to Mahler’s youthful and prophetic Piano Quartet Movement – the composer’s only surviving chamber work. The Florestan Trio make two appearances, first with the soprano Joan Rodgers, who will sing Haydn folk songs and then a group of songs by Mendelssohn accompanied by pianist Susan Tomes. And Dame Felicity Lott and Sir Thomas Allen will join forces with master accompanist Malcolm Martineau for an evening which begins with an homage to Mendelssohn and finishes with works from some of the 20th century’s most enduring, and endearing, musicals.
The English Chamber Orchestra make a welcome appearance, under the baton of Conductor and Music Director designate, Paul Watkins – who will also feature as the soloist in their performance of Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C.
Selection by the Kirckman Concert Society for its young artists’ scheme is a reliable indication of outstanding talent, and this is undeniably true of the young Neapolitan pianist, Mariangela Vacatello who, alongside Tim Hugh and Alasdair Beatson and the Doric String Quartet, provide the weekday one-hour lunchtime concerts.
The closing concert of the 2009 Bath Mozartfest will be a very special and poignant event. This all-Mozart programme, including the magnificent Requiem, was to have been conducted by Richard Hickox, whose many musical plaudits include the creation of the City of London Sinfonia in 1971 and who had appeared frequently with this orchestra in Bath. Tragically, Richard died suddenly just after last year’s Mozartfest, and this concert is dedicated to his memory.
Bath Mozartfest is indebted to Sir Roger Norrington for agreeing to conduct this concert. The performers include leading instrumental and vocal soloists plus Bath’s own much acclaimed Camerata and, of course, the CLS. This promises to be a moving and memorable occasion at which the Bath audience and the Mozartfest pay their respects to a man who made an outstanding contribution to the international music scene.
The Bath Mozartfest was made possible by the A M Purnell Charitable Trust, created at the bequest of Mrs Mary Purnell in memory of her son Mark. It remains entirely privately funded and is indebted to its generous sponsors and individual supporters, although financial support continues to be sought to prolong the life of this very special festival.
Brochures, information and tickets for all Bath Mozartfest events are available from Friday 31 July from Bath Festivals Box Office, tel: 01225 463362 or visit www.bathmozartfest.org.uk.
For media information please contact: Julie Peacock at Peacock Public Relations Tel: 01225 448044 Email: julie@peacockpr.com
Editors’ Notes: – Images of all artists appearing at this year’s Bath Mozartfest are available on request from Peacock Public Relations, details above.